Apparatus for impregnating wood.



No. 703,522. l Patented July l., |902.

J. BURNER. w

APPARATUS Fon IMPREGNATING woon.

(Application led Jan. 17, 1902.)

Maf 2- W MW .MLCJWM' No. 703,522. Patented my l, |902.

./ J. sonnen.

APPARATUS Fon mPnesuAr|nGwouu- (Application me@ ram 17, i902.) .v

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A l JHN BURNER, A @im AT RNEY (No Model.)

Patented July I, i902.

J. BURNER.

APPARATUS FUR MPREGNATING WOOD.

fa/4W.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

l lwww @0mm F 1KB?? JM -v Fiqs UNITED STATES 2 1PA-TENT FFICE.

JOHN BORNER, F,RA`HWAY,ANE\V JERSEY.

`AFPARATUS-QFOR IMPREGNATING WOOD.

SPECIFICATION :forming part'ofnetters Patent No. 703,522, dated July 1,1902. Application filed January 17. 1902. Serial No. 90,7140. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN BORNER, a subject of the King of Great Britainfresiding at Rahway, in the `county, of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Impregnating Wood; and I do hereby declare construction of the parts of the apparatus be.

ing such that the fluid mixture isforcibly driven into one end-of the log orbeam, so as to thoroughly permeate-the log or beam longitudinally withjthe long grainof the wood, whereby the log or beam is rendered resistible or tenacious to pressure and the Wood can be .subjected to the action of a die-orY dies bearing a design and then under pressure can be provided with any suitable ornamentation in perfect imitation of hand-carving without in the least distortingor tearing the fiber of the wood.

The principal object of this invention, therefore, is. to provide a novel and simple as well as a durable apparatus of the character and for the purposes above set forth in which a log or beam can be subjected to the action of the fluid mixture and the log or beam thoroughly impregnated with the mixture Without the necessity of exhausting all the air from the apparatus Vduring the process of treating the wood, as heretofore, and thereby greatly simplifying the construction of the apparatus, as well as reducing the various steps in'the process of handling and treating the wood, and whereby also, finally, the cost of manufacture is reduced to a minimum.

The apparatus forming the subject-matter of the present application is also applicable for the treatment of wood in the form of boards, slabs, blocks, or any other shape with a fireproofing mixture or other fluid mixture for rendering the Wood waterproof and relsistible or tenacious to the pressure from dies. Y

The invention therefore consists in the novel apparatus for the treatment of wood or other material, but preferably logs or beams, in which the impregnating iuid is forced in the one end of the piece to' be treated by pressure throughout theentire piece` longitudinally and parallel with the long grain of the piece.

The 'invention consists, furthermore, in such novel arrangements and'combinations of the various devices and parts thereof for the purpose of impregnating the log or beam with av mixture which renders it resistible and tenacious'to pressure and also fireproof as well as waterproof, all of which will be more fullydescribed in the followingspecilication and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim, which form a part thereof.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings, in Which- Figure lis a side elevation of the apparatus for treating the wood, and Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same. "Fig, 2A isl a longitudinal vertical section of'the main tank or boiler of the apparatus with the remaining parts of the apparatus represented in side elevation, the said View also illustrating a portion of a log in its position in the apparatus for treatment. Fig. Sisalongitudinal vertical section of all the main parts of the apparatus, said section being taken on line 3 3 in'Fig. 2 of the drawings, but the log orvbeam being merely indicated in dotted outline. Fig; 4 is a rear end view ofthe main tank or boiler. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of the apparatus, said section bing taken on line 5 5 in said Fig.l 3 of the drawings looking in the direction of the'ar'row and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a spring-actuated bulfer which is employed in connection with the main tank or boiler.

Similar characters of reference 'areA emter l indicates a suitably-constructed tank or boiler, which is preferably of a cylindrical configuration, as represented, the same being made with a closed end 2 at the front and with an end 3 at the rear, ,the said rear end, however, being made with a suitable opening 4, substantially as illustrated. The said ends 2 and 3 are securedin theirproperpositions to the main shell of the tank or boilerl by means of the rivets 5 at the front and the rivets 6 at the rear; but of course it will be understood that these various parts may be assembled and secured together in any other suitable and well-known manner. Suitably secured within the said tank or boiler at the rear end thereof, so as to rest against the inner surface of the said rear end plate 3, is a gasket-like device 7, made of a suitable flexible material, preferably rubber, the same being provided with a centrally-arranged opening S, which opening is of a smaller diameter than the opening 4 in the said end plate 3, as will be clearly seen from an inspection of Fig. 3 of the drawings. Within the said tank or boiler 1, at or near the front end of the same, is suitably secured a funnel-shaped fluid-mixturereceiving device 9, which is made with the large open part 10 and the smaller open part or throat 11, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. NVithin this throat 11 I have secured, preferably by means of rivets 13 or in any other suitable manner, the closed end port-ion of a receiving or holding thimble 12. This thimble 12 is made with an outwardly-daring receiving end 14 and is provided with any desired number of longitudinally-extending slits 16, so as to provide suitable spring-leaves 15 for suitably receiving and holding the end 19 of a log or beam 18 in position for treatment in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described. The inner and closed end of this thimble 12 is provided with any desired number and suitably-disposed perforations or holes 17, as clearly illustrated. The said tank or boiler 1 may be supported upon suitably-arranged and suitably-constructed standards 20 and 21, as herein shown, or any other means of support for the boiler may be employed, as will be clearly understood.

Leading into the front end plate 2 of the tank or boiler 1 is a pipe 22 and a valve 23 therein for conducting the fluid mixture with which the wood is to be impregnated into the chamber 24, formed by the inner walls of the' funnel-shaped device 9, the perforated nd of the thimble 12, and the inner surface of the end plate 2 of the boiler, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and 25 is a pipe provided with a valve 2G for conducting steam into the said chamber 24, and thereby maintaining the fluid mixture in said chamber under pressure while forcing said f mixture through the perforations 17 of the thimble 12 into the supported end of the log or beam 18. A pressure indicator or gage 27 and a safety-valve or blow-off 2S, both of any suitable and well-known constructions, may be used with the tank or boiler 1, the same being preferably connected with the front end plate 2, as herein shown. In longitudinal alinement with the said tank or boiler 1 may be placed a track or rails 29, on which is movably arranged a suitably-constructed car 30, provided with a suitably-constructed centering and holding device 31. A suitable lifting-jack 32 maybe employed for lifting the log or beam to be treated in its proper position in front of the opening 4 in the rear end 3 of the tank or boiler l, the said jack also being employed for supporting the one end portion of the log or beam when the latter has been passed into and through the said opening 4 in the end 3 and has its end 19 supported in the thimble 12 for treatment, the lifting-jack 32 thus serving to remove any undue strain from the end 3 of the boiler or tank 1 and also from the said thimble 12, as will be clearly evident. When the log or beam 18 has been inserted in its proper position within the boiler or tank l for treatment, as shown in the several figures of the drawings, then the car 30 and its centering or holding device 3l are pushed directly against the free end 33 of the log or beam 1S and a pawl 34, which is connected with the carriage or car 30, made to engage one of the teeth of a suitably-disposed toothed rack 35, connected with one 0r both of the rails 29. The purpose of this rack and pawl is that when great pressure is brought to bear directly against the end 19 of the log or beam 18 during the process of treating the wood the said car will be held in a fixed and stationary position, its centering or holding device 31 acting as a stop, and thereby preventing the log or beam from being forced from its proper position in the thiinble 12 during the process of impregnation ofthe wood with the mixture. Of course it will be clearly understood that in place of the car and the ratchet mechanism hereinabove mentioned, and illustrated in the drawings, any other holding means may be employed for retaining the log or beam in its position within the tank or boiler 1 during the process of impregnation.

To prevent the car from accidentally being brought against the end plate 3 of the tank or boiler when there is no log or beam in position, the said tank or boiler may be provided with a pair of rearwardly-extending arms or brackets 36, formed with receivingsockets 37, in which are slidably arranged upon a pin 3S in each socket a spring-actuated and slotted buffer 39, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

Having described the construction of the apparatus and the various arrangements of the parts thereof for the reception of a log or beam of wood, I will now briefly set forth its use and operations for rendering the wood resistible or tenacious to pressure from a die 0r dies without distorting or-tearing the fiber or for rendering the wood iireproof or impervious to moisture after having been impregnated with the mixture or Huid to which the log or beam is to be treated.

IOO

The log or beam 1S in its green state is inserted into and passed through the opening 4 in the end plate 3 of the tank or boiler 1, so that its inner end 19 'Will rest quite close to the perforated end 'piece of the thimble 12, as illustrated in the dotted outline in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the said spring-leaves 15 of the thimble 12 serving to grasp the end of the log, and thereby hold it in its centered and supporting position Within said thimble and near the throat of the funnel-shaped device 9. At the same time the inner marginal edge Which surrounds the openingSin the said gasket-like device 7 will arrange itself closely around .the outer surface of the inserted log or beam, as represented more particularly in said Fig. 2A of the drawings, thereby providing a perfect closure around the log or beam and preventing the escape of steam and fumes that may have escaped from the funnel-shaped device 9 into the main body of the tank or boiler 1. Having in this manner arranged the log or lbeam in its proper position to be treated, the valve 23 in the pipe 22 is opened and the fluid mixture is admitted into the chamber 24. The valve 26 in the steam-conveying pipe 25 is next opened and steam admitted into the chamber 24, thereby bringing the fluid mixture with which the Wood is to be impregnated under great pressure. The action of the iiuid mixture, With the pressure back of it, is such that it will be forced through, the holes or perforations 17 of the thimble 12 and Will pass directly into the end 19 of the logor beam 18, the fluid mixture following the long grain of the Wood and passing longitudinally through the Wood, thereby thoroughly impregnating the log or beam With the fluid mixture, which renders the Wood after the mixture has dried very hard and tenacious.

The iuid mixture usually employed for the treatment of the log or beam is a mixture usually consisting of Water and a tough cementitious matter, such as glue, or a mixture consisting of Water, bichromate of potash, and mica, or of Water, formic aldehyde, and gelatin, either with or Without mica, With an addition thereto of xyline and sulfoborate of ammonia. Of course it Will also be evident that the apparatus may be employed for fireprooiing or Waterproofing Wood in a similar mannerto that hereinabove set forth and also for impregnating the log or beam or other material with filler compounds of the various kinds. v l

I am aware that various changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts composed in my novel apparatus for impregnating woodwithout'departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence Ido not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices andA parts as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine myself to the details of the construction of the various prooiing or Waterproofing the same, the combination, with means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing the impregnating mixture longitudinally through the said log or beam, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device, having an outwardlyflaring and expansible delivery-throat into which a portion of the logs of different thicknesses may be placed, so that said throat encompasses said portion of the log and helps support the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for reproofing or waterproofing the same, the combination, with means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing the impregnating mixture into one end of the log or beam, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device, having a mixture-chamber provided with a delivery-throat, and a perforated thimble having an Vexpansible holding portion in which the one end of the log or beam is placed and held, the perforated portion of said thimble forming a partof the mixture-chamber and being arranged directly Within the said delivery-throat, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In an apparatus for the im pregnation'of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or Waterproofing the same, the combination, with means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing the impregnating mixture into one end of the log or beam and distributing said mixture longitudinally through said log or' beam, consisting, essentially, of a funnelshaped mixture-receiving device, yhaving a delivery-throat, a perforated thimble inwhich the one'end of the log or beam is placed, and spring-plates forming apart of said thimble for holding the end of the log or beam in place, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or waterproofing the same, the combination, with means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing theimpregnating mixture into one end of the log or beam and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said 4log or beam, a car, a centering or holding device connected With said car,adapted to be brought IOO I'IO

` against the opposite end of said log or beam,

and means for locking said car in a fixed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In an apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireprooing or Waterproofing the same, the combination, with means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing the impregnating mixture into one end of the log or beam and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log or beam, consisting, essentially, of a funnelshaped mixture-receiving device, having a delivery-throat in front of which the one end of the log or beam is placed, a car, a centering or holding device connected with said car, adapted to be brought against the opposite end of said log or beam, and means for locking said carin a fixed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

G. ln an apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or Waterproofing the same, the combination, With means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing the impregnating mixture into one end of the log or beam and distributing said mixture longitudinally through said log or beam, consisting, essentially, of a funnelshaped mixture-receiving device, havinga delivery-throat, and a perforated thimble in which the one end of the log or beam is placed and held, a car, a centering or holding device connected With said car, adapted to be brought against the opposite end of said log or beam, and means for locking said car in a fixed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In an apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or waterproofing the same, the combination, with means for supporting a log or beam which is to be impregnated, of means for forcing the impregnating mixture into one end of the log or beam and distributing said mixture longitudinally through said log or beam, consisting, essentially, of a funnelshaped mixture-receiving device, havinga delivery-throat, aperforated thimble in which the one end of the log or beam is placed,and spring-plates forming a part of said thimble for holding the end of the log or beam in place, a car, a centering or holding device connected with said car, adapted to be brought against the opposite end ofsaid logor beam,and means for locking said car in a fixed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. An apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for iireproofing or waterproofing the same, comprising, atank or boiler havinga closed end plate and an end plate provided with a log-receiving opening, and means Within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid impregnating mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. An apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireprooiing or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a log-receiving opening, and means within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a Huid impregnating mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device, having a delivery-throat in front of which the one end of the log is placed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

lO. An apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure', or for fireprooling or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a log-receiving opening, and means within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a uid impregnating mixture into said supported end of the log` and distributing said mixture longitudinallythrough the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device having a delivery-throat, and a perforated thimble in which the one end of the log is placed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

1l. An apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or Waterproofing the same, comprising,a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a log-receiving opening, and means within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid impregnating mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device having a delivery-throat, a perforated thimble in which the one end of the log is placed, and spring-plates forming a part of said thimble for holding the end of the log in place, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. An apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or 'for fireprooling or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a log-receiving opening, and means within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid impregnating mixture into said supported end of the log and dis- IIO tributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, a car, a centering or holding device connected with said car, adapted to be brought against the opposite end of said log, and means for locking said car in a fixed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. An apparatus for the iin-pregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireprooiing or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a logreceiving opening, and means Within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing av uid impregnatng mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device, having a delivery-throat in front of which the one end of the log is placed, a car, a centering or holding device connected with said car, adapted to be brought against the opposite end of said log, and means for locking Asaid car in a fixed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14C. An apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a logreceiving opening, and means Within saidl tank or boilerfor supporting the one end of said log and forcing a'fluid impregnatng mixture into said supported end of the' log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device having a delivery-throat, and a perforated thimble in Which the one end of the log is placed,a car,a centering or holding device connected with said car,-'adapted to be'brought against the opposite end of said log, and means for locking said car in a xed position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. An apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes 0f rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for lireproofing or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided With a logreceiving opening, and means Within said tank or boiler for suporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid iinpregnating mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixture-receiving device having a delivery-throat, a perforated thimble in which the one end of the log is placed, and spring-plates forming a part of said thimble for holding the end of the log in place, a car, a centering or holding device connected with said car, adapted to be brought against ranged against the inner surface of said open end plate, and means Within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid impregnating mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. An apparatus for the impregnation of Wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for lireproofing or waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided With a log-receiving opening, a flexible gasket-like device provided With a central opening arranged against the inner surface of said open end plate, and means Within said tank'or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid impregnatng mixture into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixturereceiving device, having a delivery-throat in front of which the one end of the log is placed,

substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

1S. An apparatus for the impregnation of l Wood, forthe purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for fireproofing or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with alog-receiving opening, a flexible gasket-like device provided With a central opening arranged against the inner surface of said open end plate, and means Within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a fluid impregnatng inixtuie into said supported end of the log and distributing said mixture longitudinally through the said log, consisting, essentially, of a funnel-shaped mixturereceiving device having a delivery-throat, and a perforated thimble in which the one end of the log is placed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. f

19. An apparatus for the impregnation of wood, for the purposes of rendering it tenacious and resistible to pressure, or for reproofing or Waterproofing the same, comprising, a tank or boiler having a closed end plate and an end plate provided with a log-receiving opening, a flexible gasket-like device provided With a central opening arranged against the inner surface of said open end plate, and means Within said tank or boiler for supporting the one end of said log and forcing a iiuid the log in place, substantially as and for the 1o impregnating mixture into said supported purposes set forth.

end of the log and distributing said mixture In testimony that I claim the invention set longitudinally th rough the said log, eonsistforth above I have hereunto set my hand this ing, essentially, of a funnel-shaped lnixture- 18th day of December, 1901.

receiving device having a delivery-throat, a .IOIIN BORNER. perforated thimble in Which the one end of Witnesses: Y the log,r is placed, and spring-plates forming: AMANDA M. FRAZEE,

a part of said thmble for holdingr the end of 1 NVILLIAM R. FRAZEE. 

